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mondofacto - Online Medical Dictionary Category: Health and Medicine > Medical Dictionary Date & country: 26/01/2008, UK Words: 116197

immunization, chickenpox
This vaccine prevents the common disease known as chickenpox (varicella zoster). While chickenpox is often considered a trivial illness, it can cause significant lost time on the job and in school and have serious complications including ear infections, pneumonia, and infection of the rash with bacteria, inflammation of the brain (encephalitis) lea …

immunization, children's
In the United States, it is recommended that all children receive vaccination against: hepatitis b diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis haemophilus influenzae type b (hib) poliovirus measles, mumps, rubella varicella zoster virus (chickenpox). Every child in the u.s. Should have these vaccinations except when there are special circumstances and the child …

immunization, dpt
DPT immunization protects from diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus and is given in a series of 5 shots at 2, 4, 6, 18 months of age and 4-6 years of age. Thanks to vaccination programs, these diseases have become less common. However, there are still unvaccinated individuals capable of carrying and passing diphtheria and pertussis t …

immunization, dt
DT (diphtheria and tetanus) vaccine does not protect from pertussis and is usually reserved for individuals who have had a significant adverse reaction to a dpt shot or who have a personal or family history of a seizure disorder or brain disease. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunization, dtap
Like DPT, DTaP protects from diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. Dtap is the same as dtp, except that it contains only acellular pertussis vaccine which is thought to cause fewer of the minor reactions associated with immunization and is also probably less likely to cause the more severe reactions occasionally seen following pertuss …

immunization, flu
The flu (influenza) vaccine is recommended for persons at high risk for serious complications from influenza infection, including everyone 65 or over; people with chronic diseases of the heart, lung or kidneys, diabetes, immunosuppression, or severe forms of anaemia; residents of nursing homes and other chronic-care facilities, children and teenage …

immunization, german measles
See Immunization, MMR. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunization, h. flu
See Immunization, HIB. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunization, hepatitis a
When immediate protection against hepatitis a (infectious hepatitis) is needed, immunoglobulins are used. Protection is effective only if given within 2 weeks of exposure and lasts but 2-4 months. Immunoglobulins can be used to protect household contacts of someone with acute viral hepatitis and travelers to regions with poor sanitation and high he …

immunization, hepatitis b
Hepatits B (hep B) vaccine gives prolonged protection, but 3 shots over a half year are usually required. In the u.s., all infants receive hep b vaccine. Two vaccines (engerix-b, and recombivax-hb) are available in the us. The first dose of hep b vaccine is frequently given while the newborn is in the hospital or at the first doctor visit following …

immunization, hib
This vaccine is to prevent disease caused by the haemophilus influenzae type b (hib) bacteria. The h. Influenzae (h. Flu) bacteria can cause a range of serious diseases including meningitis with potential brain damage and epiglottitis with airway obstruction poisoning. The hib vaccine is usually given at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. A final booster is …

immunization, infectious hepatitis
See Immunization, hepatitis a. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunization, influenza
See Immunization, flu. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunization, measles
See Immunization, MMR. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunization, mmr
The standard vaccine given to prevent measles, mumps and rubella (german measles). The mmr vaccine is now given in two dosages. The first should be given at12-15 months of age. The second vaccination should be given at 4-6 years (or, alternatively, 11-12 years) of age. most u.s. Colleges require proof of a second measles or mmr vaccination prior to …

immunization, mumps
See Immunization, MMR. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunization, passive
Transfer of immunity from immunised to non-immune host by administration of serum antibodies, or transplantation of lymphocytes (adoptive transfer). ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunization, polio
The vaccines available for vaccination against polio are opv (oral polio vaccine) and ipv (inactivated polio vaccine). Opv is still the preferred vaccine for most children. As its name suggests, it is given by mouth. Ipv, or inactivated polio vaccine is given as a shot in the arm or leg. Infants and children should be given four doses of opv. The d …

immunization, rubella
See Immunization, MMR. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunization, secondary
Any immunization following a primary immunization and involving exposure to the same or a closely related antigen. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunization, serum hepatitis
See Immunization, hepatitis b. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunization, varicella zoster
See Immunization, chickenpox. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immuno-
Immune, immunity. ... Origin: L. Immunis, immune ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunoadjuvant
See: adjuvant. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunoadsorbent
<chemistry> Any insoluble material for example cellulose, with either an antigen or an antibody bound to it and that will bind its corresponding antibody or antigen thus removing it from a solution. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

immunoagglutination
Specific agglutination effected by antibody. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunoassay
<investigation> A process that measures and identifies a specific biological substance such as an antigen. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

immunobiology
The study of the immune factors that affect the growth, development, and health of biological organisms. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunoblast
An antigenically stimulated lymphocyte; a large cell with well-defined basophilic cytoplasm, a large nucleus with prominent nuclear membrane, distinct nucleoli, and clumped chromatin. ... See: lymphocyte transformation. ... Origin: immuno-+ G. Blastos, germ ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunoblastic lymphadenopathy
A disorder characterised by proliferation of arborizing small vessels, prominent immunoblastic proliferations and amorphous acidophilic interstitial material. Clinical manifestations include fever, sweats, weight loss, generalised lymphadenopathy and frequently hepatosplenomegaly. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoblastic lymphoma
<tumour> A monomorphous proliferation of immunoblasts involving the lymph nodes; it may develop in some patients with angioimmunoblastic lymphadenopathy. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunoblastic sarcoma
<tumour> Obsolete term for immunoblastic lymphoma. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunoblot
Commonly referred to as Western blot because of the similarity to the procedures described above, is used to detect antibodies to specific epitopes of electrophoretically separated subspecies of antigens. Electrophoresis of antigenic material yields separation of the antigenic components by molecular weight. Blotting of the separated antigen to nit …

immunoblotting
<technique> Very small amounts of protein are transferred from gels to nitrocellulose sheets by electrophoresis and then detected by their antibody binding, usually in combination with peroxidase or radioactively labelled IgG. An accurate technique for the specific recognition of very small amounts of protein. ... (13 Oct 1997) ...

immunochemical assay
Synonym for immunoassay ... <investigation> A process that measures and identifies a specific biological substance such as an antigen. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

immunochemistry
<chemistry, immunology> A subfield of chemistry that is concerned with the study of the chemical activity involved with immunological processes. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

immunochemotherapy
<immunology, oncology> The use of a combination of immune system therapy and chemotherapeutic drugs to treat cancer. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

immunocompetant
Able to develop an immune response. The opposite of immunodeficient. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunocompetence
<immunology> The bodys ability to develop an immune response to infection or disease. Immunocompetence is measured to see how well the body can fight off certain disease. Many cancer patients become immunocompromised, where their immune system is not as strong as a healthy person's. ... (16 Dec 1997) ...

immunocompetent
Able to recognise and act against invading antigens. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

immunocomplex
Complexes of antibody and antigen. ... See: immune complex. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunocompromised
A condition in which the immune system is not functioning normally. ... (16 Dec 1997) ...

immunocompromised host
A human or animal whose immunologic mechanism is deficient because of an immunodeficiency disorder or other disease or as the result of the administration of immunosuppressive drugs or radiation. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoconglutinin
<protein> Antibodies that react with complement components or their breakdown products. Usually directed against C3b or C4 and found in high titre in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. They are formed in response to infection or injection of antigens. ... (14 Oct 1997) ...

immunoconjugates
Combinations of diagnostic or therapeutic substances linked with specific immune substances such as immunoglobulins, monoclonal antibodies or antigens. Often the diagnostic or therapeutic substance is a radionuclide. These conjugates are useful tools for specific targeting of drugs and radioisotopes in the chemotherapy and radioimmunotherapy of cer …

immunocyte
<haematology, immunology> A leukocyte that is able to stage an immune response. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

immunocytoadherence
<technique> A method for determining cell surface properties, in which immunoglobulin or receptors on the surface of one cell population cause cells with corresponding molecular configurations on their surface to adhere in rosettes around the cells. ... A process through which specific antibody-forming cells bind to antigenicparticles, forming …

immunocytochemical assay
Involves the computerised assessment of microscopic fields following direct fluorescent antibody, indirect fluorescent antibody or indirect or direct immunoperoxidase analysis of biopsy tissue from the patient. In addition to improved specificity with the removal of operator subjectivity, the quantifiability of results through computer data analysi …

immunocytochemistry
<technique> Techniques for staining cells or tissues using antibodies against the appropriate antigen. Although in principle the first antibody could be labelled, it is more common (and improves the visualisation) to use a second antibody directed against the first (an antiIgG). This second antibody is conjugated either with fluorochromes or …

immunodeficiency
Inabillity to mount a normal immune response. Immunodeficiency can be due to a genetic disease or acquired as in aids due to HIV. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunodeficiency disorders
<radiology> B-cell (antibody) deficiency: high-grade pathogens: pneumococcus, strep, H. Flu, chronic sinopulmonary disease, usual survival to adulthood, T-cell (cellular) deficiency: low-grade pathogens: fungi, viruses, Pneumocystic, growth retardation, diarrhoea, delayed anergy, short life-span, susceptible to graft vs. Host (GvH) disease, e …

immunodeficiency syndrome
<syndrome> An immunological deficiency or disorder, of which the chief symptom is an increased susceptibility to infection, the pattern of susceptibility being dependent upon the kind of deficiency. ... See: immunodeficiency. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunodeficiency virus, bovine
A species of lentivirus, subgenus bovine lentiviruses (lentiviruses, bovine), found in cattle and causing lymphadenopathy, lymphocytosis, central nervous system lesions, progressive weakness, and emaciation. It has immunological cross-reactivity with other lentiviruses including HIV. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunodeficiency virus, feline
A species of lentivirus, subgenus feline lentiviruses (lentiviruses, feline) isolated from cats with a chronic wasting syndrome, presumed to be immune deficiency. There is no antigenic relationship between fiv and HIV, nor does fiv grow in human T-cells. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunodeficiency with elevated IgM
Immunodeficiency with reduced IgG and IgA-bearing cells; there is recurrent pyogenic infection; X-linked in some families. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunodeficient
Synonym for immune deficiency diseases ... Those diseases in which immune reactions are suppressed or reduced. Reasons may include congenital absence of B and/or T lymphocytes or viral killing of helper lymphocytes (see HIV). ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

immunodepressant
Synonym for immunosuppressant ... <immunology, pharmacology> An agent capable of suppressing immune responses. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

immunodepression
Synonym for immunosuppression ... <immunology> This occurs when T and/or B clones of lymphocytes are depleted in size or suppressed in their reactivity, expansion or differentiation. ... It may arise from activation of specific or non-specific T suppressor lymphocytes of either T or B clones or by drugs that have generalised effects on most or …

immunodepressor
Synonym for immunosuppressant ... <immunology, pharmacology> An agent capable of suppressing immune responses. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

immunodiagnosis
The process of determining specified immunologic characteristics of individuals or of cells, serum, or other biologic specimens. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunodiagnostic
A medical diagnostic based on the highly specific interaction between an antibody and an antigen. The antibody is used to detect the presence of the antigen. Monoclonal antibodies have come to be used in over 20 percent of all medical diagnostic procedures. ... (14 Nov 1997) ...

immunodiffusion
<technique> The classical technique used to detect the presence of antibodies and determine their specificity by visualisation of precipitin lines. A technique for analysing antigen and antibody mixtures by watching them as they diffuse toward each other within a support medium (usually a gel). ... The precipitin lines (precipitated antigen-an …

immunodominant epitopes
Subunits of the antigenic determinant that are most easily recognised by the immune system and thus most influence the specificity of the induced antibody. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoelectron microscopy
<technique> A technique for using an electron microscope to locate specific antigensin cells or tissue. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

immunoelectrophoresis
<technique> A two-step procedure which first involves the electrophoretic separation of proteins, followed by the linear diffusion of antibodies into the electrophoretic gel from a trough which extends through the length of the gel adjacent to the electrophoretic path. The antigen-antibody reactions produce precipitin arcs at positions where …

immunoenhancement
In immunology, the potentiating effect of specific antibody in establishing and in delaying rejection of a tumour allograft; aside from antibody, non-specific substances may also act to enhance immune response. ... Synonym: immunological enhancement. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunoenhancer
Any specific or non-specific substance that increases the degree of the immune response. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunoenzyme techniques
Immunologic techniques based on the use of: 1) enzyme-antibody conjugates; 2) enzyme-antigen conjugates; 3) antienzyme antibody followed by its homologous enzyme; or 4) enzyme-antienzyme complexes. These are used histologically for visualizing or labeling tissue specimens. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoferritin
Antibody-ferritin conjugate used to identify specific antigen by electron microscopy. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunofixation
<technique> A powerful enhancement of immunoelectrophoresis in which a series of post-electrophoretic gel slabs are layered with cellulose-acetate gels saturated with specific antibodies. ... The resulting antigen-antibody complexes fixed on the second gel may then be stained, allowing sensitive and specific qualitative visual identification o …

immunofluorescence
<technique> A test or technique in which one or other component of an immunological reaction is made fluorescent by coupling with a fluorochrome such as fluorescein, phycoerythrin or rhodamine so that the occurrence of the reaction can be detected as a fluorescing antigen-antibody complex. Used in microscopy to localise small amounts of antig …

immunofluorescence method
Any method in which a fluorescent-labelled antibody is used to detect the presence or determine the location of the corresponding antigen. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunofluorescent stain
<technique> Stain resulting from combination of fluorescent antibody with antigen specific for the antibody portion of the fluorochrome conjugate. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunofluorescent studies
<technique> A special assay that relies on the production of measurable fluorescent light. An immunofluorescent tagged antibody interacts and binds with an antigen allowing an indirect measurement of its concentration. ... (27 Sep 1997) ...

immunogen
<immunology> A substance which is capable of eliciting (inducing) an immune response. An immunogen usually has a fairly high molecular weight (usually greater than 10,000), thus, a variety of macromolecules such as proteins, lipoproteins, polysaccharides, some nucleic acids, and certain of the teichoic acids, can act as immunogens. ... Compare …

immunogenetics
<study> A sub-field of genetics that uses both genetic and immunological analysesto study the genetics behind antibodyformation and the immune response. ... (09 Oct 1997) ...

immunogenic
<immunology> Producing immunity, evoking an immune response. ... Origin: Gr. Gennan = to produce ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

immunogenicity
<immunology> The property of being able to evoke an immune response within an organism. Immunogenicity depends partly upon the size of the substance in question and partly upon how unlike host molecules it is. Highly conserved proteins tend to have rather low immunogenicity. ... (18 Nov 1997) ...

immunoglobulin
<immunology> A specific protein substance that is produced by plasma cells to aid in fighting infection. ... Some immunoglobulins (gamma globulin) take part in various immune responses of the body to bacteria or foreign substances (allergens, tumour or transplanted tissue). ... Examples include IgG, IgM, IgA, IgD and IgE. ... (30 Mar 1998) ...

immunoglobulin A
<immunology> Major class of immunoglobulin of external secretions in mammals, also found in serum and body fluids such as tears and saliva and in the respiratory, reproductive, urinary and gastrointestinal tracts. ... Immunoglobulin A protects the bodys mucosal surfaces from infection and in secretions, it is found as a dimer (400 kD) joined b …

immunoglobulin allotypes
Hereditary serologic types based on antigenic differences in the light and heavy chains of immunoglobulins due to allelic genes in the gene loci coding the chains. The inv system applies to the kappa light chains, the gm system applies to the heavy chains of IgG. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoglobulin class switching
Gene rearrangement of the b-lymphocyte which results in a substitution in the type of heavy-chain constant region that is expressed. This allows the effector response to change while the antigen binding specificity (variable region) remains the same. The majority of class switching occurs by a DNA recombination event but it also can take place at t …

immunoglobulin constant region
That region of the immunoglobulin (antibody) molecule that is invariable in its amino acid sequence within any class of immunoglobulins. It confers the biological specificity to the ig and is grossly species specific. It comprises the c-terminus half of the light chains and three quarters or more of the heavy chains, all of the fc fragment, and the …

immunoglobulin D
<immunology> This immunoglobulin (184 kD) is present at a low level (3-400 mcg/ml) but is a major immunoglobulin on the surface of B lymphocytes where it may play a role in antigen recognition. ... Its structure resembles that of immunoglobulin G but the heavy chains are of the delta type. ... (30 Mar 1998) ...

immunoglobulin domains
Structural units of immunoglobulin heavy or light chains that are composed of approximately 110 amino acids. Light chains of an immunoglobulin are composed of one constant domain and one variable domain. Heavy chains are composed of either three or four constant domains and one variable domain. ... (05 Mar 2000) ...

immunoglobulin E
<immunology> Class of immunoglobulin (188 kD) associated with immediate type hypersensitivity reactions and helminth infections. ... Present in very low amounts in serum and mostly bound to mast cells and basophils that have an immunoglobulin E specific Fc receptor (FceR). Immunoglobulin E has a high carbohydrate content and is also present in …

immunoglobulin electrophoresis
<immunology, investigation> A test that detects and measures the various immunoglobulins in the blood. ... In the normal assay no monoclonal antibodies are detected but in multiple myeloma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia a single clone of lymphocytes can produce one type of immunoglobulin that is detected in the electrophoresis as monoclonal …

immunoglobulin G
<immunology> The classical immunoglobulin class also called 7S IgG (150 kD). ... Composed of two identical light and two identical heavy chains, the constant region sequence of the heavy chains being of the type. The molecule can be described in another way as being composed of two Fab and an Fc fragment. ... The Fabs include the antigen combin …

immunoglobulin gm allotypes
Hereditary allotypic markers associated with the heavy chain of IgG. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoglobulin idiotypes
Unique, genetically controlled determinants present on antibodies whose specificity is limited to a single group of proteins (e.g., another antibody molecule or an individual myeloma protein). The idiotype appears to represent the antigenicity of the antigen-binding site of the antibody and to be genetically codetermined with it. The idiotypic dete …

immunoglobulin inv allotypes
Hereditary allotypic markers associated with the light chain of IgG. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoglobulin isotypes
The classes of immunoglobulins found in any species of animal. In man there are nine classes that migrate in five different groups in electrophoresis; they each consist of two light and two heavy protein chains, and each group has distinguishing structural and functional properties. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoglobulin joining region
Segment of light and heavy chains of mouse and human immunoglobulins where the genes for the variable region upstream join those of the constant region downstream (an important part of the antibody diversity mechanism). In the joining region of the light chain are the genes coding for amino acids 96 to 107. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoglobulin M
<immunology> An immunoglobulin M molecule (970 kD) is built up from five immunoglobulin G type monomers joined together, with the assistance of J chains, to form a cyclic pentamer. ... Immunoglobulin M binds complement and a single molecule bound to a cell surface can lyse that cell. Immunoglobulin M is usually produced first in an immune resp …

immunoglobulin superfamily
<immunology> A large group of proteins with immunoglobulin like domains. most are involved with cell surface recognition events. ... Sequence homologyy suggests that immunoglobulins, MHC molecules, some cell adhesion molecules and cytokines receptors share close homology and thus belong to a multigene family. ... (30 Mar 1998) ...

immunoglobulin switch region
Site on a segment of a B-cell immunoglobulin heavy-chain gene where recombination or rearrangement can occur, expressed as isotype or allotype switching, maturation of immune response, or recombination of DNA molecules. It is found on genes encoding all five immunoglobulin heavy chains. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoglobulin variable region
That region of the immunoglobulin (antibody) molecule that varies in its amino acid sequence and composition, confers the antigenic specificity, and is thought to comprise the binding site for the antigen. It is located at the n-terminus of the fab fragment of the immunoglobulin. It includes hypervariable and framework regions, vh family subgroups, …

immunoglobulins
Any of the structurally related glycoproteins that function as antibodies. They are divided into five classes (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM) on the basis of structure and biological activity. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoglobulins, alpha-chain
Heavy chains found in the fab and fc fragments of IgA and having a molecular weight of approximately 58 kD. They contain about 470 amino acid residues arranged in four domains and an oligosaccharide component bound covalently to the fc fragment. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...

immunoglobulins, delta-chain
Heavy chains found in the fab and fc fragments of IgD and having a molecular weight of approximately 64 kD. They contain about 500 amino acid residues arranged in four domains and an oligosaccharide component covalently bound to the fc fragment. ... (12 Dec 1998) ...